Easter - only a few weeks late!

I will tell the story in pictures.  We started the Easter weekend off with a fun time at the Jersey Barnyard for an Easter egg hunt and time with the animals.  Madeline couldn't wait to see the piglets.

Then she fed some chickens.

And Roan watched quietly.

Petting the rabbits with Oma

Feeding the calf with Opa

The Easter Egg hunt.  Madeline was VERY selective on which eggs she wanted to pick up.  Only the pretty colors she said.

Saturday night she made their Easter nest for the Easter Bunny to bring her "goodies."  If anyone isn't familiar with the history of the easter nest....click here.  We have made Easter Nests since I can remember and couldn't wait to see what he would bring to our nest.  Many people I know do an Easter Basket...but not us....the good ol' German tradition lives on with the building of the Easter Nest at the Willrich House.  Your nest has to have lots of nice grass and pretty flowers for the bunny to lave your goodies on.

Final product...all the pretty (real)flowers.

A little down time with Oma before bed

and some play time with Opa.

Roan LOVED the chocolate bunny he got in his nest Easter morning.

Can you feel the love??

Roan was also baptized on Easter Sunday.  It was a wonderful service and baptism. 

The Willrich/Bland side of the family

The Roan side

Guest of honor at lunch....Roan Gerard Willrich

Easter egg hunting in Mimi and Poppy's front yard.

The girls with the new baby donkey....so cute.  He seemed to love Claire's dress.

The golden egg Madeline found

Roan and Aunt Melissa

Pure joy when I look at him.

my kiddos...oh how they bring color to my life.

Catch Up - Part 1

I said the next time I post it will be about the Hoston Rodeo/Show, so here it is.  Madeline showed Teaspoon in the Walk-Trot class and Halter class.  Friday was such a fun day. Channel 13 Houston News interviewed Madeline and Jerry for the 5:00 news, Madeline got a little camera shy but made the news none the less!

We were all ready for her to come out with Poppy and ride Teaspoon on the course.  I had my camera ready, Roan was taking a nice nap (so happy so I could really watch her), Joseph had the video camera ready and we waited in the stands for her to go.  She did so well riding the course, waved at the judge at the "most perfect" moments, smiled, and enjoyed herself.  My pictures were less than impressive b/c the lighting in the arena was TERRIBLE, so no action shots for me.  As soon as it was over, Joseph storms down and says, "let's go now"...  I looked at him and asked, "why are you so mad"... he says, "Kari, you are never going to believe what I just did.  I was filming so perfect, got all her moves/ waves (I am thinking OH GOOD!) and at the end I looked at the camera and realized I DIDN"T PUSH RECORD!"

WHAT!?!?!

Let me back up a bit and tell you that I am slightly bossy about videoing.  Giving instructions on just how I want it done...and Joseph is always telling me to leave him alone he is doing just fine.  SOOO, this time I decided that I wasn't going to say a word before he videoed, I would let him do it and keep my mouth shut!  LOOK WHERE IT GOT ME!  No video of the ride! I will now start giving instructions again.

Saturday was her halter class.  We did so well at videoing that we FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES!!!  Maybe next year we will do better!  A few pictures from the professional photographer will have to do.

And my sweet sweet Roan napping away

After the show we enjoyed a little fun in the kids portion of the fair.

For Spring Break, we went to see my parents and spend some time with them.  It was just the kids and I because poor Joseph doesn't get Spring Break.  Mom was on break 2 weeks before we were so she missed some of the fun and excitement due to work.  Opa spent plenty of time with us because according to Madeline, "Opa doesn't have a job" HA!

One day we went into Abilene to see Old Opa in the hospital and to watch Aaron and the Cooper Cougars Baseball team win. It was a good (and short) game.  Every game we have been to has been 'their longest one yet'...so I was dreading going but ended up enjoying it.

Madeline helping Aaron with the field after the game.

Opa and Roan waiting to go eat!

We spent a little time fishing on Wednesday and then headed home on Thursday.

WHEW!!! I got all of it in. I will update on Easter next blog.  I'm tired of typing and hungry for lunch!

6 Months

Can you believe it!  6 months ago sweet Roan came into this world and our life has been so blessed!

Our 6 month appt is next week so I will give you stats then. A few pictures from this morning.

Not real sure what to think about the camera.

Still trying to figure out what to do with that camera.

Now there is my sweet smile!

I will be blogging next time about our experience with Madeline at the Houston Livestock Show....I can't wait to see how she does!

Green Day

Happy St. Patty's Day!

and Green day at Mt. Calvary.  We started the day off with a bit of "green eggs" for breakfast.  Madeline told me the green eggs and green milk were her "favorite" and I quickly told her that we only get them on one special day each year!

Then on to the green attire and a green toy to take to school

I couldn't get a straight smile from the goof ball this morning...she was so funny!

My sweet boy....so cute in his green!

Some pictures of Madeline singing a little Taylor Swift in her new Microphone

And finally some more birthday pictures.  We used this sign for her first birthday party and have taken a picture by it each year....wow what a difference since the first picture.

Hope you don't get pinched today!

OH MY!

Madeline has now turned 3!!!

Oh my how fast the time goes.  She had 2.....yes 2....birthday parties.  Her first party was at the house the weekend before her actual birthday and was a "crayola color" theme.  We had 12 kids ranging from 2-4 yrs old.....wow was that fun!  Madeline had a great time, got some good presents, played, and partied her little heart out.  I can't tell you how much I L-O-V-E putting on a birthday party.  We had lots of activities for the kids to do.  When they arrived I had colors on the table and some crazy glasses for the kids to color and wear, along with a big piece of craft paper on the wall for the kids to color on.  We ate pizza then they moved on to watercolor painting, which was enjoyed by all (including the parents). Next was time for cake!  While Madeline opened gifts, the kids played with stickers.  The last activity was PLAY-DOUGH!  B-I-G hit...and all the stuff they used at the party they could take home to play with.  I enjoyed it and I hope the other parents did as well.  Here are a few pictures of that party.  I have more at home, just need to download them from the camera.  One Mom is starting her own photography business and took some AMAZING pictures at the party...I need to download those as well, but check out her website..Joely Rodgers

Getting ready for the party that morning

The cake

The kids

 

One happy camper!

Madeline's second party was in Dallas on Sunday, March 14th, her actual birthday.  We were in Dallas for my cousin's wedding.  It was such a fun time and Madeline did a great job as a flower girl.  I was a little nervous but she did good.  The family party was at Chuck E Cheese....oh LORD was that a crazy place at lunch.  Thank goodness we got there at 11:15 to get a table and have some fun before the flood of kids arrived for other parties.  I am hoping my mother will email me with pictures of that soon.  I need to post more pictures of Roan soon too....all on my camera at home....just need to do it.

Here are a few pictures of Madeline and her hair...it was my attempt at being a hairdresser...ha!

Have a great day!

Pictures and Prayers

and that is it. I have had other things on my plate this weekend and didn't get to post the few pictures that I have.  Before the pictures, please keep MY Opa, aka Old Opa, in your prayers.  He is fighting a terrible battle with pneumonia and has been in the ICU on a ventilator for several days.  The power of prayer is amazing and I hope that I can get many people behind him with prayer.  I am heading that way on Sunday and hope to have a good update for you when I return.

This is us with Opa (in the chair) at Christmas.

ROAN, aka MacaROANI according to Madeline, at 5 months.

SNOW DAY!

and trying to catch the snow in her mouth

and this is how Roan enjoyed the snow...all bundled, snug as a bug in a rug!